Irene G. Baxter

Irene Cecelia Wallace Gleason Baxter, 82, died on September 25, 2018 at her home in Fairfax, Virginia. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2018. Visitation will be held from 10:00am – 1:00pm with the funeral service immediately following. The service will be held at the Jefferson Funeral Chapel, 5755 Castlewellan Drive, Alexandria, VA 22315. A Celebration of Life Reception will immediately follow. There will be a family burial at Arlington National Cemetery in November. Irene was born on July 11, 1936 in Keyport, New Jersey. While in New Jersey she studied nursing and worked on Wall Street. Irene met John ‘Jack’ Gleason at a senior class play at St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy, New Jersey. The two began dating soon after and married following Jack’s graduation from West Point. Irene excelled as a military spouse. She had the ability to create a loving home environment for her family even when all that may have been in the home were boxes. She managed over 11 moves for her family of three within eight years. All of Irene’s children were born in different states. The family moved to Maryland in 1970 where they stayed for 31 years. She held various positions on Capitol Hill and within the Maryland State Legislature. Irene was a two-time cancer survivor. Following Jack’s death in 2001, Irene met and married Bill Baxter, also a West Point graduate. Irene and Bill shared a deep love of travel and entertaining. They spent time between Bethany Beach, Delaware, Fairfax, Virginia and other locations based on family, friends and where their hearts took them. Irene is survived by her husband William P. Baxter, LT Colonel US Army retired, daughter Diane Gleason and her partner Jim Bronson, son John Kevin Gleason and daughter-in-law Kristin Rohm Gleason and daughter Maureen Gleason Bryant. She is also survived by three grandchildren Mallorie Calvert and her fiancé Jake McKay, Colin Gleason, Ellen Gleason as well as her sister and brother-in-law Gail Gleason Milgram and Bill Milgram. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Breast Cancer Foundation, www.bcrf.org.

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Irene G. Baxter

July 11, 1936 - September 25, 2018